Girls hoops | Vernon Hills off to fast start without Webb

December 04, 2013|By Phil English, Special to the Tribune

After back-to-back second-place finishes in the Class 3A girls basketball state tournament, no one was going to show any pity for the Vernon Hills girls basketball team just because the Cougars were going to start the season without Lauren Webb.

Webb, a 6-foot, Bowling-Green-bound senior who averaged 12.6 points and nearly seven rebounds a game her junior year, isn't expected to return until late December from a foot injury she suffered before this season. Heading into last week's Vernon Hills Tournament, opponents were licking their chops.

"Going to the state finals two years in a row, we know we have a huge target on our backs. We know everyone wants to come after us," senior guard Sydney Smith said. "And it was bad knowing Lauren couldn't play. At the same time, we've been practicing for two weeks. We knew what it would take to win."

And win the Cougars did, taking all five games to claim the tournament title and show that even without one of their best players, the Cougars will be a force this season. Vernon Hills starts the season ranked 13th by the Tribune.

"It was good to find out what we have to work with, especially without Lauren," Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner said. "It was a great opportunity to get some younger kids some experience. It was nice to see the juniors step up and get some sophomores some playing time."

The least surprising aspect of the tournament was the steady, consistent play of Smith, who is committed to Vermont. When the Cougars trailed Lake Forest Academy at halftime during the tournament, Smith challenged some of the younger players to step up and make a difference.

"Coming into this season we knew we were going to be a completely different team from last year. Almost the opposite of what we've been in the past," said Smith, a four-year starter. "We've had such a strong post game in the past. It's not that we don't have that, but we have such a strong shooting team this year."

And they showed it during the week. Juniors Kasey Firnbach and Monica Bahlmann were strong from outside all week. In addition, Vernon Hills received consistent play from juniors Katie Brettmann and Haley Lieberman and seniors Katherine Koczwara and Dana Meline.

"Right now we can't look past our next games," said Smith, who tied a school record by scoring 29 points in a game last week. "We don't think ahead. Obviously we have the goal of going downstate again. But nobody knows what's going to happen in the next three months. With Lauren back and at 100 percent, anything's possible."